The Chinese Club of San Marino finally received a respite from the rain last Thursday, which provided the opportunity to celebrate Chinese Arbor Day, or tree planting day.
Traditionally, willows were planted on Tomb Sweeping Day during the early periods of the Republic of China. Tomb Sweeping Day served as Arbor Day. In honor of President Sun Yat-sen — who died on March 12, 1925 — the Nationalist Government changed Arbor Day to March 12. After the People’s Republic of China was established, March 12 continued to be recognized as Arbor Day at the suggestion of Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.
After the ceremony, Chinese Club of San Marino President Alan Chen and several club members traveled to Oneonta Congregational Church in South Pasadena to see two trees that were planted in honor of Sun Yat-sen in October 2011.
A Quercus suber, or cork oak, was planted just north of the inner oval at Lacy Park to mark Chinese Arbor Day.
Chinese Club of San Marino Celebrates Arbor Day
